One of the first things my dad taught me about boating is that you must be flexible. Over the years, I experienced firsthand just how right he was. Our family trips were interrupted by sudden thunderstorms, generator malfunctions, losing our dinghy, rescuing dad when he went after it and other catastrophic events that got us Read More
Cruising Southern California
San Diego is America’s southwestern-most boating destination. During the day, the sun is bewitching; at night, the cool breezes are captivating. The sheltered bays provide superb coastal hopping and easy docking options. Beyond the natural beauty of the coastline and its beaches is the enticing hum of the shoreside world. San Diego has so much Read More
Maine: A Trip Down Memory Lane
I didn’t grow up in Maine, but my father retired there when I was in high school, so I consider myself a “Mainiac.” During my father’s Navy career, we moved all over the world, never staying for more than a couple years. When my family moved to Maine, I hoped to set roots and make Read More
The Straits of Mackinac: Cruising Itinerary
A spectacular cruising destination and a dream trip for Great Lakes boaters, the journey to the Straits of Mackinac presents a vacation of a lifetime. Boaters cruise north across Lake Huron, enter the Straits of Mackinac and then cross into Lake Michigan. As they pass from one Great Lake to another, Mackinac Bridge, the largest Read More
Cruising the Bahamas – Exuma Islands
Beginning just 35 miles southeast of Nassau awaits an enchanting cluster of 365 cays and islands, called The Exuma Islands. They’re divided into three major areas — Great Exuma, Little Exuma and The Exuma Cays. Each section offers a unique Bahamian experience. Great Exuma and Little Exuma are known for their laid-back surroundings, while The Read More
Cruising with Members – Anniversary Trip through The Southern Chesapeake Bay
Each year for our anniversary, my husband Scott and I take a week vacation to cruise the Chesapeake Bay aboard our 58 feet Kadey Krogen trawler Miller Time. With our anniversary in August, we are usually blessed with warm weather and calm seas. However, this year seemed like it was going to break that trend. Read More
Cruising Itinerary – Panama
THE OSPREY EYE VIEW Panama’s Caribbean coastline is like a box of chocolates for the sea gypsy soul. On the eastern end lie the San Blas Islands that are miraculously untouched by industrial-level tourism. There you find hundreds of postcard-perfect islands inhabited by the Guna Indians, whose exotic clothing and world-renowned molas will dazzle you. In the Read More
Cruising with Members – Charter French Canals
A BURGUNDY SIPPING TOUR SPICED WITH MEDIEVAL DELIGHTS Life slows to a delightfully relaxed pace on a yacht in the French canals. In the heart of the Burgundy Valley, we chartered a 38-foot boat to tour the Route des Grands Crus, the wine-rich region of France. Spending a week navigating through centuries-old canals and manually Read More
Yacht Charter in the British Virgin Islands
As we flew into St. Thomas Airport in late May to start a week-long yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), I was apprehensive but excited. The BVIs are one of my favorite places, and this would be my fifth yacht charter in the area. I had been following the stories of devastation from Read More
Bonding on the Boat
We were surrounded. On our left, a fishing boat protruded from the dock. From the right, a strong gust of wind shook the American flag on the fly bridge. Tall wooden pilings formed boundaries on either side. Our slip at Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo, NC, was narrow and complicated. Using the bow thruster, my Read More